New Auto Finder Service Can Help Guide You to Your Next Car!
Members Advantage Plus (MAP) auto finder services makes it easy for you to buy a new car. You decide what you want and contact us with the details. MAP will find the car you choose, negotiate the best price and, in most cases, deliver the car to you. MAP is a FREE service for our members, and you will receive a 0.25% discount on your Stanford FCU auto loan* for using this service. Does it get any easier?
Receive a discount on your SFCU auto loan when you use the MAP auto finder service*
MAP Makes the Process Simple
Here’s how it works: 1. Get pre-approved for a Stanford FCU auto loan online at www.sfcu.org or by phone at (650) 723-2509, option 4. 2. Once pre-approved, complete the “Vehicle Request” online or call MAP at (650) 723-2509, option 9. 3. A Stanford FCU loan officer will complete your loan transaction. Let MAP help you locate and negotiate the best deal on your next vehicle.
*Loans are subject to credit approval and are subject to Stanford FCU terms and conditions. Note: MAP is available to you as a member of Stanford FCU. Stanford FCU assumes no liability for services rendered. This is a voluntary program, and you are not obligated to participate. All new and certified used cars arranged for sale are subject to price and availability from the selling franchise car dealer.
FEBRUARY 2007
A PUBLICATION OF STANFORD FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Seminars and Events
These seminars and events are available to SFCU members, family, friends and the community. All seminars are free. Reserve your seat by e-mailing seminars@sfcu.org. “Home Buying Seminar” – Tuesday, February 20 – 5:30-7 pm, Pampas Lane “Tax Exchange Seminar” – Wednesday, February 21 – 5:30-7 pm, Pampas Lane “Home Buying Seminar” – Thursday, March 15 – 5:30-7 pm, Pampas Lane
Come to Stanford FCU and Find the Home Loan That’s Just Right for You!
We can help you achieve your dreams with our many home loan programs! If you need lower monthly payments, have credit challenges or need funds for other projects, we have the loan for you: • A 40-year mortgage keeps your payments low, giving you the cash flow you need to get through the rest of your month. • An interest-only loan keeps the payments even lower. This is a good option for certain situations. • A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) allows you to use the equity you have in your home with rates as low as 6.125% APR* for 12 months. Apply for your home loan online at www.sfcu.org or call us at (650) 723-2509 or (888) 799-8106.
*Annual Percentage Rate. 6.125% APR for the first 12 months, then the weekly average yield on US Treasury Securities + 3.000% (currently 7.960%), subject to change.
Offices Closed Notice
Presidents’ Day Monday, February 19
25,000 Surcharge FREE CO-OP® ATMs Available Nationwide Includes 7-Eleven ATMs and deposit ATMs at select locations. Visit www.sfcu.org to find an ATM near you.
Investment Strategies for 2007
Is it time to rethink your investment strategies? Here’s a good strategy…move your low-earning, high-risk investments to Stanford FCU, and we will beat any published* CD rate in California!
Other High-Earning Options to Consider For investments $10,000 and above–
the 7-Month Liquid Certificate gives you a great rate plus unlimited withdrawals without penalty. • High earnings currently at 4.855% APY** for the 7-month term • Minimum deposit of $10,000 and maximum of $2,500,000 • New money only
For investments $1,000 and above–
the Step-Up Certificate gives you a onetime opportunity to “step-up” to a higher rate.
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New Changes for Downloading eStatements We have new changes that will make it easier for you to download Stanford FCU eStatements into Quicken 2007, Quicken 2006 or Quicken 2005. The download page will now show "Quicken 2005+ Format QIF" as the download option. This option will be used for 2005, 2006, 2007 and future versions. Below the download options and account listings, the instructions will tell you how to download and import eStatements into these versions of Quicken. If you are downloading eStatements into MS Money, please note that the time stamp on transactions has been corrected to reflect Pacific Standard Time (PST). If you have questions regarding the changes, please call us at (650) 723-2509 or (888) 723-7328 (outside the 650 area code).
New Health Savings Account Legislation Is Good for Members
An HSA allows you to save tax-free dollars in an IRA-like account to pay for health care expenses.
HSAs Answer the Call for Affordable Medical Care
You can benefit from an HSA, which allows you to save tax-free dollars in an IRA-like account to pay for health care expenses not covered by insurance. Congress has loosened rules on Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) making them more attractive than ever by: • Increasing the amount an individual can deposit into an HSA to $2,850 or $5,650 for a family, regardless of the amount of the deductible. In addition, depositors 55 and older can deposit an additional $800 each year to an HSA. • Offering the flexibility to rollover from an IRA, Flexible Spending Account and Health Reimbursement Account.
Open a Stanford FCU HSA Today and Earn 4.855% APY*
To open a Stanford FCU Health Savings Account, call or drop by one of our branches today.
*Annual Percentage Yield. Rate is current as of 01/02/07. Rate is subject to change. Visit www.sfcu.org for current rates. Source: http://www.cuna.org/newsnow/06/w ash121206-3.html
Stanford FCU Rates
New and Used Auto. . . . 6.00% APR* HELOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.125% APR** Premier Market Savings Account . . . . . 4.855 APY***
*Annual Percentage Rate. Rate is based on credit score and includes .50% discount for automatic loan payment. **Rate is fixed for first 12 months, then converts to the weekly average yield on US Treasury Securities + 3.000% (currently 8.010%). ***Annual Percentage Yield. Stated rate applied to minimum balance of $25,000. All rates are current as of January 2007 and are subject to change. These accounts are subject to all terms and conditions set forth in the current Dividend News, the Truth-in-Savings Disclosure and Agreements brochure and the Disclosure Fee Schedule. For current rates go to www.sfcu.org.
Studies Show What We Already Know… Credit Unions Are Better!
The results are in and the findings support what we already knew. When it comes to providing the best financial service, credit unions are #1.
The Profits Stay With You
According to Bill Cheney, President and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, “In 2005, while banks made record profits of $134.2 billion for their shareholder investors, California credit unions saved consumers $1.53 billion.” Thank goodness for credit unions!
Source: http://www.ccul.org/a_news/newscont.cfm?dailynews__ID=2853
It’s Good News for Consumers and Working Families
• Findings released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in December 2006 report that credit unions charge lower rates on consumer loans and offer higher earnings on savings than banks. Additional findings indicate credit unions provide better service to low and moderate-income borrowers than banks. • Credit unions provide a higher number of mortgage loans to low and moderateincome borrowers than other lenders. (Source: Report by the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act with data collected from the Federal Reserve.)
How to Reach Us
Telephone (650) 723-2509 Toll-free (outside 650 area code) (888) 723-SFCU (7328) 24-hour Loans by Phone (888) 725-SFCU (7328) Web site www.sfcu.org E-mail info@sfcu.org For the location of the branch or ATM nearest you, give us a call or check our Web site.
Information in this newsletter is subject to change. Visit our Web site for current rates and information. See SFCU’s Truth-in-Savings booklet for important account restrictions and conditions. All loans are subject to credit approval.
Investment Strategies for 2007
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• Yields currently as high as 4.803% APY** for 25-month term • If rates go down, you're locked in at a higher rate • If rates go up, you have a one-time opportunity to “step-up” your rate • Minimum deposit just $1,000 These programs are also available as IRA Certificates. Call us or drop by to take advantage of these HIGH earning options.
Move low-earning investments to Stanford FCU, and we’ll beat any published* CD rate in California!
*Published means advertised via newspaper, Internet, radio or television. California-based banks only. Internet-only banks and credit unions excluded. SFCU certificates will be opened on the existing schedule of maturities. This offer applies to new share certificates, IRA certificates and SFCU certificates at maturity with comparable terms and minimum balance requirements. Cannot be used in conjunction with special rate promotions by other financial institutions or other bonus rate programs offered by SFCU, such as the Step-Up and Liquid Share Certificate. **Annual Percentage Yield. The rates stated are accurate as of 01/18/07. Current rates may be obtained by calling us at (650) 723-2509, toll free (888) 723-7328 or by visiting www.sfcu.org. 7-Month Liquid Certificate balances under $10,000 will be closed and are subject to $100 early closure fee.
EQUAL HOUSING
LENDER